Fiber optic enclosure with tear-away spool

ABSTRACT

A fiber optic enclosure includes a housing and a cable spool assembly disposed on an exterior surface of the housing. The cable spool assembly has a first tear-away end and a second tear-away end. The first and second tear-away ends include at least one area of weakness extending from an inner diameter of the cable spool assembly to an outer diameter of the cable spool assembly. A mounting plate is rotationally engaged with the cable spool assembly such that the cable spool assembly and the housing selectively and unitarily rotate about an axis of the mounting plate.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 13/924,177,filed Jun. 21, 2013, which is a continuation of application Ser. No.13/554,607, filed Jul. 20, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,494,334, which is acontinuation of application Ser. No. 12/973,154, filed Dec. 20, 2010,now U.S. Pat. No. 8,229,267, which is a continuation of application Ser.No. 12/199,923, filed Aug. 28, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,869,682, whichclaims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 60/970,185, filedSep. 5, 2007, which applications are incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to fiber optic enclosures, and moreparticularly, to fiber optic enclosures with cable payout.

BACKGROUND

As demand for telecommunications increases, fiber optic networks arebeing extended in more and more areas. In facilities such as multipledwelling units, apartments, condominiums, businesses, etc., fiber opticenclosures are used to provide a subscriber access point to the fiberoptic network. These fiber optic enclosures are connected to the fiberoptic network through subscriber cables connected to a network hub.However, the length of subscriber cable needed between the fiber opticenclosure and the network hub varies depending upon the location of thefiber optic enclosure with respect to the network hub. As a result,there is a need for a fiber optic enclosure that can effectively managevarying lengths of subscriber cable.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a fiber optic enclosurefor enclosing fiber optic connections. The fiber optic enclosureincludes a housing and a cable spool assembly disposed on an exteriorsurface of the housing. The cable spool assembly has a first tear-awayend and a second tear-away end. The first and second tear-away endsinclude at least one area of weakness extending from an inner diameterof the cable spool assembly to an outer diameter of the cable spoolassembly. A mounting plate is rotationally engaged with the cable spoolassembly such that the cable spool assembly and the housing selectivelyand unitarily rotate about an axis of the mounting plate.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method of payingout a subscriber cable from a fiber optic enclosure. The method includesrotating a housing and a cable spool assembly, which includes asubscriber cable coiled around a drum portion of the cable spoolassembly, about an axis of a mounting plate of the fiber optic enclosureuntil a desired length of subscriber cable is paid out. A tear-away endof the cable spool assembly is split at an area of weakness. Thetear-away end of the cable spool assembly is removed from the cablespool assembly.

A variety of additional aspects will be set forth in the descriptionthat follows. These aspects can relate to individual features and tocombinations of features. It is to be understood that both the foregoinggeneral description and the following detailed description are exemplaryand explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad concepts uponwhich the embodiments disclosed herein are based.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a fiber optic network thatincludes a fiber optic enclosure having features that are examples ofaspects in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the fiber optic enclosure shownschematically in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded isometric view of the fiber optic enclosure ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 4 front view of the fiber optic enclosure of FIG. 2 with a coverremoved.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a tear-away end of a cable spool assemblyof the fiber optic enclosure of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the tear-away end of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an exploded isometric view of the fiber optic enclosure ofFIG. 2 with a bracket.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the fiber optic enclosure of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an alternate embodiment of a cable spool assembly havingfeatures that are examples of aspects in accordance with the principlesof the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a front view of the cable spool assembly of FIG. 9

FIG. 11 is an isometric view of a spindle assembly suitable for use withthe cable spool assembly of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged, fragmentary, isometric view of the spindleassembly of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is an exploded isometric view of the cable spool assembly ofFIG. 9 and the spindle assembly of FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary aspects of thepresent disclosure that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughoutthe drawings to refer to the same or like structure.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a schematic representation of a fiber opticnetwork, generally designated 11, in a facility 13 (e.g. individualresidence, apartment, condominium, business, etc.) is shown. The fiberoptic network 11 includes a feeder cable 15 from a central office (notshown). The feeder cable 15 enters a feeder cable input location 17(e.g., a fiber distribution hub, a network interface device, etc.)having one or more optical splitters (e.g., 1-to-8 splitters, 1-to-16splitters, or 1-to-32 splitters) that generate a number of individualfibers. In the subject embodiment, and by way of example only, the fiberdistribution hub 17 is located on a lower level 19 of the facility 13.Each unit in the facility 13 includes a fiber optic enclosure, generallydesignated 21, with a subscriber cable 22 extending from each of thefiber optic enclosures 21 to the fiber distribution hub 17. Thesubscriber cable 22 extending between the fiber distribution hub 17 andthe fiber optic enclosure 21 typically includes multiple optical fibers.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the fiber optic enclosure 21 will now bedescribed. The fiber optic enclosure 21 includes a housing, generallydesignated 23 a cable spool assembly, generally designated 25, and amounting plate 27 (shown in FIG. 3).

Referring now to FIG. 4, the housing 23 includes a cover 29 (shown inFIGS. 2 and 3), a base 31, a first sidewall 33, and an oppositelydisposed second sidewall 35. The first and second sidewalls 33, 35extend outwardly from the base 31 such that the base 31 and the firstand second sidewalls 33, 35 cooperatively define an interior region 37.

A termination module, generally designated 39, is disposed in theinterior region 37 of the housing 23. The termination module 39 of thefiber optic enclosure 21 serves as the dividing line between theincoming fibers and the outgoing fibers. In the subject embodiment, thetermination module 39 is mounted to the base 31 of the housing 23.

In the subject embodiment, the termination module 39 includes aplurality of sliding adapter modules 41 having front sides 43 and backsides 45. Similar sliding adapter modules 41 have been described indetail in commonly owned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,497,444; 5,717,810, 6,591,051and U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2007/0025675, the disclosures of which areincorporated herein by reference.

In the subject embodiment, the interior region 37 of the housing 23includes a slack storage area 47 in which are disposed cable managementtabs 49. The cable management tabs 49 are disposed in the interiorregion 37 of the housing 23 to provide organization of the incoming andoutgoing cable within the interior region 37 and to avoid attenuationdamage to the optical fibers during storage.

The interior region 37 includes a passage 51 that extends through thethrough the base 31 of the housing 23. The passage 51 allows theconnectorized ends of the subscriber cable 22 to pass into the housing23. As incoming optical fibers pass through the passage 51, the incomingoptical fibers are routed to the slack storage area 47. Connectorizedends of the incoming optical fibers are then routed from the slackstorage area 47 to the front sides 43 of the sliding adapter modules 41.Connectorized ends of outgoing optical fibers are routed from the backsides 45 of the sliding adapter modules 41 and through fiber exit ports53 which are disposed in the first and second sidewalls 33, 35.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the cable spool assembly 25 is disposed on anexterior surface of the housing 23. In the subject embodiment, the cablespool assembly 25 is disposed on the back side of the base 31, althoughit will be understood that the scope of the present disclosure is notlimited to the cable spool assembly 25 being disposed on the back sideof the base 31. The cable spool assembly 25 includes a first tear-awayend 55 a, an oppositely disposed second tear-away end 55 b, and a drumplate assembly, generally designated 59.

The drum plate assembly 59 includes a plate portion 61, a drum portion63, and a mounting bracket 65. In the subject embodiment, the plateportion 51 includes a generally planar surface 67 having a perimeterthat is generally rectangular in shape. It will be understood, however,that the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the plateportion 51 having a generally planar surface 67 that is generallyrectangular in shape.

The drum portion 63 extends outwardly from the planar surface 67 of theplate portion 61 in a generally perpendicular direction. In the subjectembodiment, the drum portion 63 extends outwardly from a center portion69 of the plate portion 61, although it will be understood that thescope of the present disclosure is not limited to the drum portion 63extending outwardly from the center portion 69 of the plate portion 61.The drum portion 63 is generally cylindrical in shape having an internalbore 71 and an outer surface 73. The internal bore 71 extends throughthe drum portion 63 and defines a central axis 74 of the drum plateassembly 59.

In the subject embodiment, the mounting bracket 65 is rigidly engaged tothe plate portion 61 of the drum plate assembly 59 by a plurality offasteners (e.g., bolts, screws, rivets, etc.), which extend through aplurality of mounting holes 75 in the plate portion 61 and through aplurality of mounting apertures, which are aligned with the mountingholes 75, in the mounting bracket 65. When mounted to the plate portion61, the mounting bracket 65 extends outwardly from the planar surface 67of the plate portion 61 in a generally perpendicular direction such thatthe mounting bracket 65 extends through the internal bore 71 of the drumportion 63.

The mounting bracket 65 includes a mounting face 76 having a pluralityof holes 77 for rigid engagement to the housing 23. In one embodiment,the holes 77 are thru-holes for fasteners such as rivets or bolts. Inanother embodiment, the holes 77 are threaded holes for threadedfasteners such as screws. In the subject embodiment, the mounting face76 of the mounting bracket 65 extends slightly farther outwardly than anend surface 79 of the drum portion 63.

The plate portion 61 of the drum plate assembly 59 is connectedlyengaged to the mounting plate 27 through a bearing, such as a lazy-susanbearing or a ball bearing. A central axis of the bearing is aligned withthe center axis 74 of the drum portion 63 of the drum plate assembly 59.The bearing allows the drum plate assembly 59 to rotate about thecentral axis of the bearing, which is aligned with the center axis 74 ofthe internal bore 71, and the mounting plate 27 when the mounting plate27 is fixed to a structure such as a wall.

Referring now to FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, the first and second tear-away ends55 a, 55 b of the cable spool assembly 25 will be described. In thesubject embodiment, the first and second tear-away ends 55 a, 55 b aregenerally similar in structure. Therefore, for ease of description, thefirst and second tear-away ends 55 a, 55 b will be commonly referred toas “the tear-away end 55”. It will be understood, however, that thescope of the present disclosure is not limited to the first and secondtear-away ends 55 a, 55 b being similar.

The tear-away end 55 is generally circular in shape and includes anoutside diameter 81 and an inner diameter 83. The inner diameter 83 isadapted to receive the outer surface 73 of the drum portion 63. Thetear-away end 55 includes at least one area of weakness 85. In thesubject embodiment, the area of weakness 85 radially extends from theinner diameter 83 of the tear-away end 55 to the outer diameter 81. Inone embodiment, and by way of example only, there are four areas ofweakness 85 dispose on the tear-away end 55 that radially extend fromthe inner diameter 83 to the outer diameter 81. The four areas ofweakness 85 are incrementally disposed on the tear-away end 55 so as tobe 90 degrees from the adjacent area of weakness 85. In the subjectembodiment, the area of weakness 85 is a perforation formed by a seriesof slits that extend through the tear-away end 55 with a slit disposedat the outer diameter 81 of the tear-away end 55 to serve as a point atwhich tearing can be initiated. In another embodiment, the area ofweakness 85 is an area of reduced thickness.

In the subject embodiment, the tear-away end 55 is manufactured from aplastic material such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) having athickness of 0.09 inches. It will be understood, however, that the scopeof the present disclosure is not limited to the tear-away end 55 beingmade from ABS or to the tear-away end 55 having a thickness of 0.09inches as the tear-away end 55 could be made from other materialsincluding but not limited to cardboard of various thicknesses. In theembodiment in which the area of weakness 85 is an area of reducedthickness, the thickness of the area of weakness 85 is less thanone-half of the thickness of the tear-away end 55. In anotherembodiment, the thickness of the area of weakness 85 is less thanone-third of the thickness of the tear-away end 55. In yet anotherembodiment, the thickness of the area of weakness 85 is less thanone-quarter (¼) of the thickness of the tear-away end 55. In oneembodiment, the thickness of the area of weakness 85 is about 0.015inches. In the embodiments in which the area of weakness is an area ofreduced thickness, a slit is disposed at the outer diameter 81 of thetear-away end 55 to serve as a point at which tearing can be initiated.

The first and second tear-away ends 55 a, 55 b are oppositely disposedon the outer surface 73 of the drum portion 63. In the subjectembodiment, the first and second tear-away ends 55 a, 55 b are in closefit engagement with the outer surface 73 such that the first and secondtear-away ends 55 a, 55 b may rotate slightly. In one embodiment, thefirst and second tear-away ends 55 a, 55 b are in tight fit engagementwith the outer surface 73 of the drum portion 63. The first and secondtear-away ends 55 a, 55 b are oriented along the drum portion 63 suchthat a portion of the outer surface 73 of the drum portion 63 isdisposed between the first and second tear-away ends 55 a, 55 b so thata length of the subscriber cable 22, having multiple optical fibers, canbe coiled around the portion of the outer surface 73 between the firstand second tear-away ends 55 a, 55 b. In order to protect the subscribercable 22 from attenuation resulting from coiling of the subscriber cable22 around the drum portion 63, the outer surface 73 has a radius that isgreater than the minimum bend radius of the subscriber cable 22.

The subscriber cable 22 includes a first end and a second end. The firstend of the subscriber cable 22 has connectorized ends, which areinserted through the passage 51 and connectedly engaged with the frontsides 43 of the sliding adapter modules 41. The second end of thesubscriber cable 22 is configured for connectivity with the fiberdistribution hub 17. However, as shown in FIG. 1, the length ofsubscriber cable 22 needed between each of the fiber optic enclosures 21in the facility 13 and the fiber distribution hub 17 will vary dependingupon the location of each fiber optic enclosure 21 with respect to thefiber distribution hub 17.

A method of installing and using the fiber optic enclosure 21 to accountfor the varying lengths of subscriber cable 22 needed between the fiberoptic enclosure 21 and the fiber distribution hub 17 will now bedescribed. The fiber optic enclosure 21 provides dual functionality byserving as a storage location for the subscriber cable 22 and byselectively paying out a desired length of the subscriber cable 22. Agiven length of subscriber cable 22 is stored in the fiber opticenclosure 21 by coiling the length of subscriber cable 22 around thecable spool assembly 25. In one embodiment, the length of subscribercable 22, which is coiled around the cable spool assembly 25, is in therange of 100 to 500 feet. In another embodiment, the length ofsubscriber cable 22 coiled around the cable spool assembly 25 is 300feet. With the cable spool assembly 25 disposed on the exterior surfaceof the housing 23, the fiber optic enclosure 21 with the cable spoolassembly 25 can provide more effective cable management for a greaterlength of subscriber cable 22 than a fiber optic enclosure 21 withoutthe cable spool assembly 25.

The second function of the fiber optic enclosure 21 involves theselective payout of the subscriber cable 22. As previously mentioned,the first end of the subscriber cable 22 is in connected engagement withthe termination module 39, which is disposed in the interior region 37of the housing 23. With the first end of the subscriber cable 22 inconnected engagement with the front sides 43 of the sliding adaptermodules 41 and the outgoing optical fibers disengaged from the backsides 45 of the sliding adapter modules 41, the subscriber cable 22 canbe paid out. As the cable spool assembly 25 is rigidly engaged with thehousing 23 through the mounting face 76 of the mounting bracket 65 androtationally engaged with the mounting plate 27 through the bearingdisposed between the mounting plate 27 and the plate portion 61 of thedrum plate assembly 59 of the cable spool assembly 25, the cable spoolassembly 25 and housing 23 can selectively rotate about the central axisof the bearing, which is aligned with the center axis 74 of the internalbore 71 of the drum portion. Therefore, with the cable spool assembly 25rigidly mounted to the housing 23 and rotationally mounted to themounting plate 27, which is mounted to a wall, the desired length of thesubscriber cable 22 can be paid out from the fiber optic enclosure 21 byrotating the fiber optic enclosure 21 in a rotational direction aboutthe center axis 74. Since the housing 23 and the cable spool assembly 25rotate unitarily about the central axis 74, the second end of thesubscriber cable 22 can be paid out without the first end of thesubscriber cable 22 being pulled out of the termination module 39.

Once the desired length of subscriber cable 22 has been paid out, therotation of the fiber optic enclosure 21 is ceased. At this point, thetear-away ends 55 of the cable spool assembly 25 can be removed. Toremove the tear-away ends 55 of the cable spool assembly 25, the area ofweakness 85 that extends from the inner diameter 83 to the outerdiameter 81 is split. In the subject embodiment, the area of weakness 85can be split by breaking, tearing, cutting, ripping, etc. The area ofweakness 85 is split along the length of the area of weakness 85. Whenthe split reaches the inner diameter 83 of the tear-away ends 55, theopening created by splitting the area of weakness 85 can be expanded sothat the tear-away ends 55 can be removed from the cable spool assembly25. In another embodiment, other areas of weakness 85 can be split tocreate an opening between the areas of weakness 85, through which thedrum portion 63 of the cable spool assembly 25 can be passed.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, with the tear-away ends 55 of the cablespool assembly 25 removed, the position of the fiber optic enclosure 21can be fixed such that it does not rotate relative to the mounting plate27. A first bracket, generally designated 87 a, and a second bracket,generally designated 87 b, can be used to secure the position of thefiber optic enclosure 21 after the rotation of the fiber optic enclosure21 has ceased. In the subject embodiment, the first and second brackets87 a, 87 b are generally similar in structure. Therefore, for ease ofdescription, the first and second brackets 87 a, 87 b will be commonlyreferred to as “the bracket 87”. It will be understood, however, thatthe scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the first andsecond brackets 87 a, 87 b being similar.

In the subject embodiment, the bracket 87 is U-shaped having a frontplate 89, a left plate 91, and a right plate 93. It will be understood,however, that the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to thebracket 87 being U-shaped. In the subject embodiment, a mounting tab 95extends in a generally perpendicular direction to the front plate 89.The mounting tab 95 includes a thru-hole 97 for mounting the bracket 87to a wall. In the subject embodiment, the left and right plates 91, 93include mounting openings 99 for mounting the left and right plates 91,93 to the housing 23. As the bracket 87 is mounted to the wall or otherstructure and extends between the mounting plate 27 and the housing 23,the housing 23 is no longer able to selectively rotate relative to themounting plate 27 since it is restricted by the engagement with thebracket 87.

In order to prevent rotation of the housing 23 relative to the mountingplate 27 and to protect the subscriber cable 22 stored on the drumportion 63 of the cable assembly 25 from environmental damage, the firstand second brackets 87 a, 87 b are installed on the opposite sides ofthe housing 23 such that the left and right plates 91, 93 of the firstbracket 87 a and the left and right plates 91, 93 of the second bracket87 b each extend about half of the depth D (shown in FIG. 8) of thehousing 23.

The areas of weakness 85 may be advantageous for making a more compactfiber optic enclosure 21 after the fiber optic enclosure 21 has beenmounted to a wall or structure and after the subscriber cable 22 hasbeen paid out from the fiber optic enclosure 21. While the cable spoolassembly 25 provides for storage of the subscriber cable 22 duringshipping and handling and cable management during pay out of thesubscriber cable 22, the outer diameter 81 of the cable spool assembly25 may not be required after the subscriber cable 22 is paid out. Thetear-away ends 55 allow for the overall size of the cable spool assembly25 to be reduced following payout.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, an alternate embodiment of a cablespool assembly 225 is shown. The cable spool assembly 225 includes afirst tear-away end 255 a and a second tear-away end 255 b. Thetear-away ends 255 are oppositely disposed on a drum portion 263. In thesubject embodiment, the tear-away ends 255 are connected (e.g.,press-fit, bonded, soldered, etc.) to the drum portion 263. The drumportion 263 is cylindrically shaped and includes an internal bore 271and an outer surface. The internal bore 271 extends through the drumportion 263 and defines a central axis 274.

The tear-away end 255 is generally circular in shape and includes anoutside diameter 281. The tear-away end 255 also includes at least oneradial area of weakness 85. In the subject embodiment, the area ofweakness 285 radially extends from the outside diameter 281 of thetear-away end 255 to an inner diameter 301. In the subject embodiment,at least one circular area of weakness 303 is also included in thetear-away end 255. The circular area of weakness 303 extends around thetear-away end 255 and has a radius that is less than the radius of theouter diameter 281. In the subject embodiment, and by way of exampleonly, there are two radial areas of weakness 285 dispose on thetear-away end 55 that radially extend from the inner diameter 301 to theouter diameter 281 and there are two circular areas of weakness 303,with one of the two circular areas of weakness being disposed at theinner diameter 301. In the subject embodiment, the two radial areas ofweakness 285 are disposed so as to be 180 degrees apart while the twocircular areas of weakness 303 are concentric. In the subjectembodiment, the radial and circular areas of weakness 285, 301 are areasof reduced thickness.

The first tear-away end 255 a includes a plurality of apertures 305. Theapertures 305 are disposed in the first tear-away end 255 a for rigidlyengaging the cable spool assembly 225 to the back side of the base 31 ofthe housing 23. The apertures 305 would align with holes in the base 31of the housing 23 and would allow the first tear-away end 255 a to befastened to the housing 23 with fasteners such as screws, bolts, rivets,etc.

Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 12, a spindle assembly, generallydesignated 307, will be described. The spindle assembly 307 includes amounting plate 309 having a plurality of mounting thru-holes 311 forfastenedly engaging the mounting plate 309 to a wall or structure. Thespindle assembly 307 also includes a spindle, generally designated 313,having a bore 315 with an axis 317. In the subject embodiment, thespindle is connected (e.g., fastened, bonded, soldered, etc.) to themounting plate 309.

The spindle 313 also includes a plurality of resilient latches,generally designated 319. The resilient latches 319 extend outwardlyfrom the mounting plate 309. The resilient latches 319 include a freeend 321 and a latch portion, generally designated 323. The latch portion323 includes an end surface 325 and a radially outwardly facing lip 327.The lip 327 extends outwardly in a direction that is generallyperpendicular to the axis 317. A chamfered edge 329 is disposed betweenthe end surface 325 and the lip 327.

Referring now to FIGS. 9-13, the internal bore 271 of the drum portion263 of the cable spool assembly 225 is adapted for receiving the spindle313. In the subject embodiment, the internal bore 271 and the drumportion 263 are in snap fit engagement with the spindle 313. With thespindle assembly 307 mounted to a wall or structure, the central axis274 of the internal bore 271 of the cable spool assembly 225 is alignedwith the axis 317 of the bore 315 of the spindle 313. The cable spoolassembly 225 is then pressed onto the spindle 313 such that contactbetween the cable spool assembly 225 and the chamfered edge 329 of thespindle 313 causes the resilient latches 319 to flex toward the axis 317until the internal bore 271 of the drum portion 263 fits around thespindle 313. When the cable spool assembly 225 is fully engaged on thespindle 313, the resilient latches 319 spring back thereby engaging anedge 331 of the drum portion 263 with the lip 327 of each of theresilient latches 319 of the spindle 313. With the spindle 313 engagedwith cable spool assembly 225, the cable spool assembly 225 and thehousing 23 can selectively slidingly rotate about the spindle 313 of thespindle assembly 307, which is rigidly mounted to the wall or structure.

The circular area of weakness 301 may be advantageous as it allows forthe tear-away ends 255 of the cable spool assemblies 225 to be scalable.If the fiber optic enclosure 21 is requested with a less amount ofsubscriber cable 22, the outer diameter 281 of the cable spool assembly225 can be adjusted by tearing off part of the tear-away ends 255 at thecircular area of weakness 301.

In addition, the circular area of weakness 301 may be advantageous as itallows for only one part number to be cataloged. In a scenario wherecable spool assemblies 225 having different outer diameters 281 arerequired, a cable spool assembly 225 having a first outer diameter 281can be modified to a cable spool assembly 225 having a second outerdiameter 281 by tearing off part of the tear-away ends 255 at thecircular area of weakness 301.

Various modifications and alterations of this disclosure will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scopeand spirit of this disclosure, and it should be understood that theinventive scope of this disclosure is not to be unduly limited to theillustrative embodiments set forth herein.

1. (canceled)
 2. An enclosure comprising: a housing; a drum disposed atan exterior of the housing, the drum being rotationally fixed relativeto the housing, the drum extending away from the housing to a distalend; a cable wrapped around the drum; and a flange extending radiallyoutwardly from the distal end of the drum to aid in retaining the cableon the drum, at least a portion of the flange being removable from thedrum to reduce an overall size of the enclosure after at least a portionof the cable is paid out.
 3. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein theflange is fully removed from the drum after the at least a portion ofthe cable is paid out.
 4. The enclosure of claim 1, further comprising asecond flange extends radially outwardly from the drum at a locationbetween the distal end and the housing.
 5. The enclosure of claim 4,wherein at least a portion of the second flange is removable from thedrum after at least a portion of the cable is paid out.
 6. The enclosureof claim 1, wherein the flange is fully removed from the drum after theat least a portion of the cable is paid out.
 7. The enclosure of claim1, further comprising a mounting plate that is configured to be attachedto a surface, wherein the drum is rotationally connected to the mountingplate.
 8. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the flange includes an areaof weakness that facilitates removing the flange from the drum.
 9. Theenclosure of claim 1, wherein at least part of the area of weaknessextends radially along the flange.
 10. The enclosure of claim 1, whereinat least part of the area of weakness extends circumferentially alongthe flange.
 11. A method of dispensing a cable comprising: providing anenclosure including a drum extending outwardly from a housing and aradial flange extending radially outwardly form the drum, the enclosurehaving an outer footprint defined by the flange; pulling an end of acable that is wrapped around a drum, thereby unwinding at least part ofthe cable from the drum; and removing a radial flange from the drum sothat the footprint of the enclosure is defined by the housing.
 12. Themethod of claim 11, wherein pulling the end of the cable causes thehousing and drum to rotate in unison about a mounting plate to which thedrum is mounted.
 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising securinga bracket arrangement to the enclosure to rotationally lock the housingand drum relative to the mounting plate.
 14. The method of claim 13,wherein securing the bracket arrangement to the enclosure covers thedrum and any cable remaining on the drum.
 15. The method of claim 13,wherein securing the bracket arrangement includes securing a firstU-shaped bracket and a second U-shaped bracket to the enclosure.